KINGSWOOD MP Chris Skidmore has presented a petition to Parliament opposing the controversial "bin tax" which has been introduced in South Gloucestershire.

The petition, which has been signed by more than 4,200 residents, urges the Government to encourage South Gloucestershire Council to reconsider its decision to bring in the £36 annual charge for the collection of green garden waste bins.

Although the authority froze council tax this year, the £36 charge equates to a 2.9 per cent council tax increase for a Band D householder, who has to pay £1,245.20 this year.

The petition has already led to a decision by South Gloucestershire Council to call a debate on the charge, which will take place on June 4.

Speaking before handing in the petition last night, Mr Skidmore told the Bristol Post: "It is nothing but a stealth tax, that will end up costing local residents – already it has cost £650,000 to implement with only 20 per cent of residents signing up.

"I will continue to campaign on behalf of local residents to get this tax overturned."

Mr Skidmore has previously taken up the issue with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who supported the call to scrap the charge, which was introduced on April 1.

The Tories claim that Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted through the measure without any proper consultation with residents.

But Labour and Lib Dem councillors have hit back by accusing the Tories of using smear tactics and proposing unworkable alternatives.